Oct. 22, 2005

Stats

ELIZABETH CITY, NC- A safety with 3:45 remaining in the game, a safety by junior linebacker Emanuel Plummer propelled the Elizabeth City State University Vikings past Saint Paul's College 8-6 Saturday afternoon at Roebuck Stadium in Elizabeth City, NC.

On the ensuing Viking possession, the homecoming crowd would hold their collective breath as a Kevin Dodson punt was blocked and recovered in the Viking end zone by the Tigers' Jerome Mann. However, much to the relief of the Viking faithful, the play was negated as the Tigers were flagged for being offsides. The Vikings regained possession and ran out the remaining 1:34 after Dan Herlihy completed a 32 yard pass to Marvin Jackson to the Tigers' 29 yard line.

Although the final 3:45 provided much anxiety and excitement in determining the victor, it was no surprise that the game came down to the wire. Throughout the afternoon, the two teams jostled with field position via their special teams and respective running games. ECSU got on board first when a 32 yard field goal by Kevin Dodson capped a 7 play 42 yard drive with 3:20 to go in the first quarter. Then in the second stanza, the Tigers would register the game's only touchdown via a 5-yard score by Walter Virgil to take a 6-3 lead. Another field goal by Dodson in the third quarter, this one for 31 yards, tied the score at 6 and it would remain that way until the climatic final minutes of the game.

Statistically the Vikings doubled the Tigers in total offense (260 to 130) and controlled the tempo as far as time of possession with 33:09 to 26:51 for Saint Paul's (3-6, CIAA 2-4). Brandon Fields had an impressive outing for the Vikings with 87 yards rushing and a kickoff return for 53 yards. As usual, punter Kevin Dodson was the face of consistency with 7 punts, 4 of which landed inside the 20 yard line and was 2-3 in field goal attempts. His longest of 49 yards, was downed at the Tiger 2-yard line setting up the game winning safety.

The Vikings (2-7, CIAA 1-5) will close out the 2005 season on Saturday, October 29, as they travel to Richmond, VA to face Virginia Union University. Game time is slated for 1:30pm.